If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
1 If there is therefore any consolation. There is an extraordinary tenderness in this exhortation, “Ceste exhortation est plene d’affections vehementes;” — “This exhortation is full of intense affections.” in which he entreats by all means the Philippians mutually to cherish harmony among themselves, lest, in the event of their being torn asunder by intestine contentions, they should expose themselves to the impostures of the false apostles.
The great law of Christ's kingdom is mutual love, and this must show itself in like-mindedness. When we have tasted consolation in Christ, we prove it by loving one another; the sweetness we find in Him should sweeten our spirits toward His people.
AI summary
Commenting on Philippians 2:1-11
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ,.... Or "exhortation", as the word is sometimes rendered; that is, either if there is any exhortation of Christ to love and unity, as there is in Joh 13:34, and this is of any weight and value; or if an exhortation hereunto made in the name of Christ, by any of his ministers, messengers, and ambassadors, will be...